Creating the appearance of an old European market building is what the architects at Looney Ricks Kiss were going for when they penned the blueprints for The Mercado, a mixed-use development in Rosemary Beach, Fla., an upscale, neo-traditional town on northwest Florida's gulf coast. They took the idea literally: The word “merado” means “market” in Spanish and Italian.

Developed by the local New Orchard Group, The Mercado is a 45,000-square-foot mixed-use building featuring residential elements, retail, and commercial office space. The retail section is located on the ground floor, while the office space and eight residential units hover above.

After taking its name from a multilingual dictionary, The Mercado also borrowed the crisp, cool colors one might expect in the West Indies to outfit its interior spaces.
After taking its name from a multilingual dictionary, The Mercado also borrowed the crisp, cool colors one might expect in the West Indies to outfit its interior spaces.

Darrell Russell, principal at Looney Ricks Kiss in Rosemary Beach, describes The Mercado's architectural style as having a Dutch/West Indies flavor. The building features wooden roof shingles, ornate balconies, and stained wood detailing. Why go with such a distinct style? To complement the city's St. Augustine-inspired architecture, Russell says.

Besides its unique design, The Mercado also boasts a prime location. The property is situated in Rosemary Beach's town center, in the heart of the city's boutique shops and gourmet restaurants.

The Mercado offers luxury condominium units ranging from 1,475 square feet to about 3,200 square feet. Floor plans range from two bedrooms to as many as five bedrooms.